GUWAHATI, Oct 14 - A blast that left four persons injured on Saturday has hit business activities at Fancy Bazar on the eve of Durga Puja, with the footfall going down drastically since the incident.
�The blast has created a fear psychosis among the people. Many of them have stopped coming to Fancy Bazar since yesterday and preferred to visit GS Road and other markets. Nowadays, there are many options for shopping in Guwahati,� said Aditya Vikram Tiwari, a trader of Fancy Bazar.
Police have deployed additional security personnel at the Fancy Bazar area following the incident but that has not generated much confidence among the common people. Men in plainclothes have also been deployed in busy areas of the market.
The worst hit were the traders dealing with garments and toys.
According to Vikash Soni of L Gopal outlet, business at Fancy Bazar this year is quite dull compared to previous years. �For the last ten-fifteen days, the market was not what it used to be earlier. We cannot say the exact reason. It could be due to non-availability of cash, price rise, poor parking facilities, etc. Last evening, after the blast, the footfall has drastically fallen,� he added.
Garment trader Ravi Jhunjhunwala said the blast has hit the business at the market by 25 to 30 per cent. �After yesterday�s incident, the common people are avoiding Fancy Bazar for puja shopping. Several persons who came to my shop yesterday evening were enquiring about the situation,� said Jhunjhunwala.
